Mardi Gras Thoughts

Tonight, as many of us know, is Mardi Gras. Perhaps for some of us it is Carnival, or for the church types out there (which I am guessing are the majority who actually stop to read my ranting), it is Shrove Tuesday.

Normally, we associate these festivals with hard partying and debauchery (especially Shrove Tuesday! We churchies know how to party ;) ). In fact, from what I can see of my old fraternity brothers on Facebook, this has not changed! For them, and many others, Mardi Gras/Carnival is just a time  to go absolutely nuts for a night for little to no reason.

This begs the question, why do we celebrate Mardi Gras? Why is there such a party that proceeds Lent, AKA one of the holiest seasons of the year?

To answer the first question (in case anyone was curious),  Lent is such a stark, austere time that it became popular in the middle ages to have a festival, or a "last fling," before the prayerful fasting and abstinence of Lent began. At these feasts people would eat rich, luxurious foods and drink the best wines because the next day would begin fasting leading up to Easter. This is indirectly where the tradition of pancakes for Shrove Tuesday came from. Often there were so much flour, eggs, milk  leftover that they only thing people could make with them is pancakes.  So now you can answer that question if it comes up on Final Jeopardy. I'll take "Obscure Religious Holiday Roots" for $100, Alex.

Now for the second question hidden all of this. Since these celebrations have such a wild, irreligious context, it is possible for us to find some sort of religious meaning in them?

Why yes! Thanks for asking! So whatever you are doing tonight, whether it is a Mardi Gras party, a Carnival parade or a wild-and-crazy Shrove Tuesday Pancake supper, let your feasting anticipate your fasting.  This way, it gives much more meaning to your actions. It creates a sense of anticipation, like an athlete eating a meal in preparation for a competition. Essentially, enjoy what your are doing and know that that the food we take in and the people we relate with will power us for something exceptional, namely, following Jesus on the final journey to Jerusalem and the cross.

This journey is difficult. It reminds us of our worst qualities, the brokenness and depth of humanities sinful nature. So let the wonderful memories of Mardi Gras/Carnival/Shrove Tuesday linger on through Lent. This way, we can take some good into the pain and anguish of Lenten repentance and let the encouragement it gives remind us that a even greater celebration is to come.

And don't party too hard, because you will lose this valuable lesson in the haze and end up in the broken column before Lent even begins! I'm talking to you, my fellow Delts.

Be safe, and blessings on all of you, my friends.

B-